The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) welcomes comments on updates to the 2014-2017 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for two projects through Wednesday, April 8. The BRTB will vote on the amendments on Tuesday, April 28, at 4:30 p.m.

The 2014-2017 TIP, which is the list of regional transportation projects requesting funding, includes more than $2 billion in proposed federal, state and local money for highway, transit, bicycle and pedestrian projects during the next four years. The funding goes towards maintaining, operating and expanding the transportation system. The TIP is fiscally constrained.

Below, the BRTB provides summary information of the projects and changes to the TIP, as well as links to more details.

NEW PROJECTS TO THE TIP

Harford County proposes adding the following project to the TIP:

Stafford Road Bridge Project (TIP ID # 15-1501-13)Stafford Road Bridge over Deer Creek, built in 1950 and measuring 220 feet is the longest bridge in Harford County. The area, located in Darlington at the North end of Susquehanna State Park is a popular destination for people seeking to canoe or kayak, fish, hike or bike the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenways Trail.

At 65 years old, this bridge shows numerous deficiencies and areas of deterioration. The current sufficiency rating is 52.3. The purpose of this project is to repair or replace the bridge to extend its useful life for another 40 years. The project does not anticipate a widening of the bridge and will remain two lanes. The Harford County Department of Public Works may consider the addition of sidewalks in the evaluation and design process, but it may not be practical if a full bridge replacement does not occur.

This amendment would allow Harford County to utilize $160,000 in Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds, with a $40,000 match for Preliminary Engineering in Fiscal Year (FY) 2015, as well as nearly $600,000 of STP funds with approximately $200,000 match in FY 2017 for construction and inspection fees. The estimated total cost of the project is $1 million.

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) proposes adding the following project:

Bus Efficiency Enhancements Research and Demonstrations Project (TIP ID #40-1501-05)MTA received a federal Section 5312 (Research, Development, and Deployment Project) grant to retrofit 41 hybrid buses with new beltless alternators. The purpose of this project is to reduce alternator maintenance and belt failures and to improve fuel economy. MTA’s hybrid bus fleet serves a wide range of communities throughout the MTA service area.

Adding this project to the TIP allows MTA to use $496,000 in Federal Section 5312 grant funding matched with $212,000 in state funds for Fiscal Year 2015. The estimated total cost of the project is $708,000.

Public Review and CommentA public review period will run from Friday, March 6 through Wednesday, April 8, 2015.

The BRTB will host a public meeting about the proposed amendments in conjunction with the Public Advisory Committee on Wednesday, April 1 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., at the Baltimore Metropolitan Council’s office, located at the Offices @ McHenry Row, 1500 Whetstone Way, Baltimore City, 21230. This meeting is open to the public.

Comments are also welcome during the Public Comment Opportunity of the BRTB meeting on Tuesday, March 24 at 9 a.m. or April 28 at 4:30 p.m. (scheduled vote).

NoticeThe Baltimore Regional Transportation Board operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable laws. Appropriate services can be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities or those in need of language assistance who submit a request at least seven days prior to a meeting. Call 410-732-0500.

For more information:Zach Kaufman, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 410-732-0500 ext. 1048.